Ventura Pet Wellness & Dog Training Center

Ventura Pet Wellness offers a range of dog training programs including group classes, private sessions, phone consults, and a Board & Train program. Group classes are typically 6-week sessions.

Puppy Kindergarten is for puppies 8-18 weeks. Good Manners classes (1, 2, 3) cover basic obedience, adding distractions, distance, and duration, and preparing for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Agility classes progress from Beginning to Intermediate (taken twice) to Advanced, introducing dogs to various agility equipment and off-leash work. Nose-Work/Scent-work classes are also available.

Private training sessions with Shannon Riley address behavioral issues like anxiety, fear, and aggression, providing personalized training plans. The Board & Train program is a 30-day intensive stay at Shannon’s home, followed by two private follow-up sessions. All classes require dogs to be current on vaccines. Handlers must be 14 years or older for most classes.

Pricing Summary

Group Classes: $185 for 6-weeks (Ultimate Puppy Kindergarten, Good Manners 1 & 2, Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Agility). Nose-Work/Scent work classes are $175 for 6-weeks. Good Manners 3: CGC + TKN is $195 for a 6-week program (includes CGC Test fee). Intermediate Tricks Class is $175 for 6-weeks.

Private Training Sessions with Shannon Riley: The first initial session is $250 for 1.5 to 2 hours. Subsequent individual visits are $200 for a 1-hour session. Travel fees apply for other locations. Packages include a “3 pack” for $550 (saves $75) and a “6 pack” for $975 (saves $150).

Phone Consults with Shannon Riley: $200 for a 1-hour session.

Board & Train Program with Shannon Riley: $5,650, which includes a mandatory $250 First Initial Private Training Session (1.5-2 hours) and $5,400 for the 30-day Board & Train stay plus two 1-hour follow-up private training sessions.

Policies

For group classes, payment must be made upon sign-up to hold a spot. No refunds are given 7 days before the class start date. They do not keep a wait-list for classes and do not accept payment for future unscheduled classes.

For private training sessions and phone consults, a 72-hour (business days) cancellation policy applies. If cancellation is not made within this timeframe, the deposit/fee will be forfeited. Refunds for cancellations before the 72-hour deadline are subject to a $15 processing fee. Monday appointments must be cancelled by noon on the previous Thursday.

For the Board & Train Program, the initial private training session deposit ($250) is forfeited if not cancelled within 72 business hours. The main Board & Train payment ($5,400) also has a 72-hour (business days) cancellation policy with a $15 processing fee for refunds.

Ventura Pet Wellness & Dog Training Center is merging with Truly Force Free! They operate with a philosophy centered around force-free, positive reinforcement methods, aiming for healthy, happy relationships between pets and their people. Their approach considers diet, exercise, environment, and training as significant factors in achieving this goal.

The center offers a variety of group classes including Puppy Kindergarten, Good Manners (Levels 1, 2, and 3 including CGC + TKN), Agility (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced), Nose-Work/Scent work, and Intermediate Tricks. They also provide private training sessions with owner Shannon Riley, phone consults, and a Board & Train Program.

Shannon Riley, the owner and founder, is an internationally sought-after speaker and bestselling author of “The Evolution of Dog Training.” She has over 30 years of experience in dog training, is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT KA), Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), and Fear Free Certified. She founded Truly Force Free Animal Training in 2015 to make force-free, positive reinforcement training accessible globally. The team also includes certified trainers Wendy Signorella (KPA CTP) and Wendy Dowler (KPA CTP, AKC CGC Evaluator), and Brigitte Englahner (CNWI) for Nose-Work classes.

Accomplishments

Shannon Riley is a bestselling author of “The Evolution of Dog Training” (also published in Spanish). She is an internationally sought-after speaker, having presented at conferences like APDT Annual Conference, Pet Professional Guild’s Geek Week Australia, RescueCon, and Ventura College Job and Career Fair. She created “The Backyard Pet Talk Podcast” and “The Positive Puppy podcast.”

Her education includes a Biology Degree specializing in Zoology from Sonoma State. She is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT KA), Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), and Fear Free Certified. She trained under Ian Dunbar through his Sirius Dog Training Course. She has worked in the Bird Department at Marine World Africa USA and as a handler/trainer for an African Serval Cat at Safari West. She participated in behavior studies with the San Francisco Zoo and Safari West.

Shannon was a past President for the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians, a past Allied Industry Member of Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, and a sponsor of California Registered Veterinary Technician Association. She regularly attends veterinary and animal behavior conferences and completes approximately 30 hours of continuing education units annually.

How to Get Started!

For group classes, first-time students (dogs that have never attended a class) must enroll, submit class payment (PayPal or check), and return required paperwork (New Client Form – Dog Training Classes, Registration Form, Ventura Pet Wellness & Dog Training Center Policy Form, copy of recent vaccinations) via email or mail prior to the class start date. Returning students (dogs that have attended classes) must enroll, submit payment, and return updated paperwork (Registration Form, updated vaccination copy).

For private training sessions with Shannon Riley, a $250 deposit is required upon confirmation of the appointment. Clients must fill out the New Client Form – Private Training and return it with a copy of the dog’s most recent vaccinations via email or mail at least 3 business days prior to the appointment.

For phone consults, the full $200 fee is required prior to the appointment date. Clients must fill out the New Client Form – Phone Consult and return it via email or mail at least 2 business days prior.

For the Board & Train Program, a First Initial Private Training Session must be completed 2 weeks prior to boarding to determine eligibility. A $250 deposit is required for this initial session. After this, the $5,400 payment for the Board & Train and two follow-up sessions is required upon confirmation of dates. Paperwork for Board & Train must be returned via email or mail.